Manifold for high pressure washer in mechanical mode selection

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic system which receives and pumps a mixture of water and cleaning concentrate or rinsing water alone at high pressure to a spray nozzle for washing and cleaning purposes. To permit selection of the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;mix&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;rinse&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; mode, the system includes a dual mode selection valve the single output of which is connected to the inlet side of a high pressure pump. The valve has a pair of separate inputs for water and concentrate, respectively; and includes a mode selector which determines whether the flow of water through the valve is free or restricted. Under the latter condition, the flow to the pump inlet is less than the pump output capacity, and the concentrate is therefore drawn or aspirated into the valve to mix with the water.

United States Patent Jarzynski 1 Apr. 2, 1974 MANIFOLD FOR HIGH PRESSUREWASHER IN MECHANICAL MODE SELECTION Michael J. Jarzynski, St. Paul,Minn.

L & A Products, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.

Filed: Feb. 12, 1973 Appl. No.: 331,484

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl 239/310, 239/318, 239/407, 137/599, 137/605 Int. Cl B05b 7/26,B05b 7/12, Fl6k 19/00 Field of Search 137/599, 605; 239/310, 239/318,407

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Arnold RosenthalAttorney, Agent, or FirmMerchant, Gould, Smith & Edell [57] ABSTRACT Ahydraulic system which receives and pumps a mixture of water andcleaning concentrate or rinsing water alone at high pressure to a spraynozzle for washing and cleaning purposes. To permit selection of the mixor rinse mode, the system includes a dual mode selection valve thesingle output of which is connected to the inlet side of a high pressurepump. The valve has a pair of separate inputs for water and concentrate,respectively; and includes a mode selector which determines whether theflow of water through the valve is free or restricted. Under the lattercondition, the flow to the pump inlet is less than the pump outputcapacity, and the concentrate is therefore drawn or aspirated into thevalve to mix with the water.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Hill PATENIEDAPR 21914 33301; 017

III]

MANIFOLD FOR HIGH PRESSURE WASHER IN MECHANICAL MODE SELECTION Theinvention relates to hydraulic systems which generate high pressure forspray cleaning, and to a valve usable in such systems which isselectively operable to deliver either a large flow of water or amixture of water and cleaning concentrate to an outlet spray nozzle.

The use of high pressure spraying equipment is a well-accepted practicein cleaning and washing many articles, including automobiles. Generally,such high pressure washing systems have two modes of operation: a mixmode in which cleaning concentrate is mixed with fresh water and dilutedprior to entering the pump, and a rinse mode in which only water flowsthrough the pump. Pumps used in such systems areordinarily of thepositive displacement type and are capable of pumping liquid to highpressure for effective spray washing. As is typical with pumps of thistype, if the inlet pressure and flow are less than the pump is capableof handling, suction results at the inlet. Consequently, if water iscontinuously supplied to the pump in a free and unrestricted manner,output of the spray nozzle is simply water under high pressure. If,however, the water flow to the pump is restricted, the pump itself drawsthe necessary amount of cleaning concentrate into its inlet to make upfor the volume of water which it does not receive. The former is therinse" mode, and the latter is referred to as the mix mode.

In order to selectively control the desired operational mode of thesystem, two water flow passages to the pump inlet are necessary,together with a single passage for the cleaning concentrate. One of thewater passages is unrestricted and allows a free flow of water to thepump during the rinse mode, whereas the second passage is restricted toeffect aspiration of the concentrate and mixing of the two inputliquids.

My invention is directed to a unique selector valve which is manuallyoperable to selectively permit water flow in either of the two passages.The valve comprises a valve housing having a single outlet and a pair ofinlets for the water and cleaning concentrate, respectively. A singleunrestricted passage connects the concentrate inlet with the outlet, andtwo parallel passages are defined between the water inlet and outlet. Anelongated valve member is rotatably carried by the valve housing andprojects transversely through both of the water passages. In the valvemember are formed a pair of transverse bores disposed for registrationwith the first and second water passages, respectively, butperpendicular to each other. Thus, if the first bore is in registrationwith its associated passage, the second bore blocks the other passage.Rotation of the elongated valve member one-quarter turn brings about theopposite result. A variable restriction in the form of a needle valve isalso disposed in the second passage to control the degree of restrictionand thereby determine the relative proportion of the water and cleaningconcentrate.

The rotatable valve member also includes a smaller bore which isdisposed for registration with the first water passage and perpendicularto the larger first bore. Accordingly, when the mode selector valve isin the mix" position, a small amount of water bleeds through the firstpassage to insure that the pump does not run dry in the event that thesupply of cleaning concentrate runs out and the needle valve is closed.F rom the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the inventive dual modeselector valve is mechanically simple as well as easy to operate, bothin selecting the rinse" or mix modes and adjusting the mixedproportions. As such, it is an improvement over prior art devices whichare far more complex and require electrical power for their operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematicrepresentation of a high pressure washer system and dual mode selectorvalve which embody the inventive principles, the valve and system beingin a first operational state or mode;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the inventive system and valvein a second operational state or mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the Figures,the numeral 11 generally represents a high pressure washing system 11which employs a dual mode selector valve 12. Valve 12 includes a firstinlet 13, a second inlet 14 and single outlet 16. Primary inlet 13 isadapted for connection to a continuous source of water or the like, notshown. Primary inlet 14 is connected to a source of cleaning concentrate17 through a suitable check valve 18.

Outlet 16 is connected to the inlet side of a conventional high pressurepump 19 which is preferably of the positive displacement type. Theoutlet side of pump 19 is connected directly to a spray gun 20, which istrigger operated by a user to control the high pressure spray toward thearticle to be washed. System 11 also comprises a conventional unloadervalve 21 which interconnects the outlet side of pump l9 with the pumpinlet through a bypass conduit 15. The purpose of unloader valve 21 isto permit water from pump 19 to be diverted through bypass conduit 15and back to the pump under reduced pressure when spray gun 20 is closed.

Selector valve 12 itself comprises a valve housing 22 in which theaforementioned inlets 13, 14 and outlet 16 are formed. A first fluidpassage 23a formed in the valve housing 22 establishes a first flow pathfrom inlet 13 to outlet 16. A second fluid passage 23b defines a secondflow path from inlet 13 to outlet 16, a portion of which is separatefrom that of fluid passage 23b. As is shown, the fluid passages 23a, binclude portions which are disposed in parallel relation. Valve housing22 has a third fluid passage 24 which establishes fluid communicationbetween the inlet 14 and outlet 16. Selector valve 12 further comprisesan elongated valve member 25 which takes the form of a solid cylinderand is rotatably carried within valve housing 22. Valve member 25projects transversely through the fluid passages 23a, b, and terminatesin a knurled knob 26 which enables its rotation, as discussed in furtherdetail below. An O-ring 27 serves as a seal to prevent the leakage ofwater from the bore in which valve member 25 is rotatably disposed.

Valve member 25 further comprises a pair of circular bores 28, 29, whichpass transversely therethrough in mutually perpendicular directions. Asshown, bore 28 is disposed for registration with passage 23a if rotatedto the proper position, and bore 29 is disposed for registration withfluid passage 23b. It will therefore be appreciated that, in theposition shown in FIG. 1, valve member 25 permits fluid to pass betweeninlet 13 and outlet 16 through fluid passage 23a in an essentiallyunrestricted manner; and, inresponse to a one-quarter turn throughmanual rotation of the knurled knob 26, permits flow from inlet 13through fluid passage 23b to outlet-l6 (FIG. 2).

Selector valve 12 further comprises a variable restriction needle valve30 which is screwed into a threaded bore within valve housing 22. Needlevalve 30 includes a needle portion 31 the longitudinal position of whichdetermines the degree of flow restriction relative to upper fluidpassage 23b. The longitudinal position of needle portion 31 iscontrolled by rotation of a knurled knob 32 disposed at its outer end.An O-ring 33 encircling the shank of needle valve 30 precludes theleakage of water through the bore in which it is disposed.

In rinse mode operation of the system 11, valve member 25 is positionedas shown in FIG. I, and water flows from inlet 13 to outlet 16 throughpassage 23a in an essentially unrestricted manner. As such, the inlet tohigh pressure pump 19 is continuously supplied, and water at highpressure is provided through the spray gun 20 for washing and cleaningpurposes. In the event that spray gun 20 is closed, the output of pump19 is diverted through bypass unloader valve 21 and bypass conduit 15 ata greatly reduced pressure; and such closed loop flow continues until ademand occurs through control of the spray gun 20. During the rinsemode, the flow of water through passage 23b is blocked due to thetransverse position of bore 29 relative to the flow passage,

For mix mode operation of system 11, valve member is rotated one-quarterturn to the position shown in FIG. 2 and the flow of water from inlet 13to outlet 16 is through fluid passage 2312. However, this flow isrestricted by needle valve 30, and the amount of water reaching theinlet of pump 19 is below its capacity. As a result, continued operationof pump 19 gives rise to a negative pressure in fluid passage 24 than onthe upstream side of check valve 18, and cleaning concentrate is thusdrawn into the inlet 14 from the source 17. The mixed proportion ofwater and cleaning concentrate is determined by the degree ofrestriction within fluid passage 23b, which in turn is dependent on theadjustment of needle valve 30.

As described, it would be possible for pump 19 to be damaged by runningdry should valve member 25 be rotated to the position shown in FIG. 2,and at the same time needle valve is closed and the source 17 ofcleaning concentrate runs out. To eliminate this possibility of damagedpump 19, a small bleed hole 34 is formed in valve member 25 forregistration with fluid passage 23a, but perpendicular to the largerbore 28. Thus, the bleed hole 34 aligns with bore 29, and permits aminimum flow of water to pump 19 through the passage 23a, even under theaforementioned conditions.

I claim:

1. A dual mode valve for providing a selected fluid output of one of twoinput fluids or a predetermined mixture of said fluids, comprising:

a. a valve housing defining a frist inlet adapted for connection to afirst fluid source, a second inlet adapted for connection to a secondfluid source, and an outlet;

' b. a first passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the first inlet and the outlet;

c. a second passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the first inlet and the outlet separate from thefirst passage;

d. a third passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the second inlet and the outlet;

e. valve means commonly disposed in the first and second passages androtatable between first and second positions, the valve means havingfirst and second fluid openings formed therein relatively disposed torespectively permit and block fluid flow in the first and second fluidpassages with the valve means in said first position, and torespectively block and permit fluid flow in the first and second fluidpassages with the valve means in said second position;

f. and means for restricting flow in the second pas-,

sage.

2. The valve means defined by claim 1, wherein the first and secondpassages are disposed in essential alignment, and the valve meanscomprises:

a. an elongated valve member rotatably carried by the valve housing andprojecting transversely through the first and second passages;

b. the first and second fluid openings comprising mutually perpendicularbores formed through said elongated valve member.

3. The valve defined by claim 2, wherein the valve member projectsoutwardly from the valve housing and terminates in a manually rotatableportion.

4. The valve defined by claim 2, wherein the elon gated valve membercomprises a solid cylinder.

5. The valve defined by claim 2, and further comprising a bleed holeformed in the elongated member for registration with the first passage,the bleed hole being 1 perpendicular to said first bore to permit aminimum fluid flow through the first passage when fluid flow isestablished through the second passage.

6. The valve'defined by claim 1, wherein the restriction means isvariable.

7. The valve defined by claim 1, wherein the restriction means comprisesa needle valve disposed in the second passage in variable restrictiverelation therewith.

8. The valve defined by claim 7, wherein the needle valve is threadablyreceived by the valve housing, and terminates in a manually rotatableportion disposed outside the valve housing.

9. A dual mode pressure washing system, comprising:

a. high pressure pumping means having an inlet and an outlet;

b. a spray nozzle connected to the pumping means outlet;

0. and a mode selector valve for providing a selected fluid output ofone of two input fluids or a predetermined mixture of said fluids,comprising i. a valve housing defining a first inlet adapted forconnection to a first fluid source, a second inlet adapted forconnection to a second fluid source, and an outlet connected to thepumping means inlet;

ii. a first passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the first inlet and the valve outlet;

iii. a second passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the first 5 inlet and the valve outlet, the secondpassage being separate from the first passage;

iv. a third passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the second inlet and the valve outlet;

v. valve means commonly disposed in the first and second passages androtatable between first and second positions, the valve means havingfirst and second fluid openings formed therein relatively disposed torespectively permit and block fluid flow in the first and second fluidpassages with the valve means in said first position, and torespectively block and permit fluid flow in the first and second fluidpassages with the valve means in the second position;

vi. and means for restricting flow in the second passage.

10. The pressure washing system defined by claim 9, wherein the firstvalve inlet is connected to a source of water, and the second valveinlet is connected to a source of cleaning concentrate.

l l. The pressure washing system defined by claim 10, and furthercomprising check valve means disposed between the second valve inlet andthe source of cleaning concentrate for permitting the flow ofconcentrate only toward said second valve inlet.

12. The pressure washing system defined by claim 9, and furthercomprising unloader valve means disposed in a bypass conduit downstreamof said pumping means and in parallel with the spray nozzle, the bypassconduit communicating with the pumping means inlet, the unloader valvemeans being constructed and arranged to divert fluid from the spraynozzle when pressure downstream of the pumping means reaches apredetermined limit.

1. A dual mode valve for providing a selected fluid output of one of twoinput fluids or a predetermined mixture of said fluids, comprising: a. avalve housing defining a frist inlet adapted for connection to a firstfluid source, a second inlet adapted for connection to a second fluidsource, and an outlet; b. a first passage within the valve housingestablishing fluid communication between the first inlet and the outlet;c. a second passage within the valve housing establishing fluidcommunication between the first inlet and the outlet separate from thefirst passage; d. a third passage within the valve housing establishingfluid communication between the second inlet and the outlet; e. valvemeans commonly disposed in the first and second passages and rotatablebetween first and second posItions, the valve means having first andsecond fluid openings formed therein relatively disposed to respectivelypermit and block fluid flow in the first and second fluid passages withthe valve means in said first position, and to respectively block andpermit fluid flow in the first and second fluid passages with the valvemeans in said second position; f. and means for restricting flow in thesecond passage.
 2. The valve means defined by claim 1, wherein the firstand second passages are disposed in essential alignment, and the valvemeans comprises: a. an elongated valve member rotatably carried by thevalve housing and projecting transversely through the first and secondpassages; b. the first and second fluid openings comprising mutuallyperpendicular bores formed through said elongated valve member.
 3. Thevalve defined by claim 2, wherein the valve member projects outwardlyfrom the valve housing and terminates in a manually rotatable portion.4. The valve defined by claim 2, wherein the elongated valve membercomprises a solid cylinder.
 5. The valve defined by claim 2, and furthercomprising a bleed hole formed in the elongated member for registrationwith the first passage, the bleed hole being perpendicular to said firstbore to permit a minimum fluid flow through the first passage when fluidflow is established through the second passage.
 6. The valve defined byclaim 1, wherein the restriction means is variable.
 7. The valve definedby claim 1, wherein the restriction means comprises a needle valvedisposed in the second passage in variable restrictive relationtherewith.
 8. The valve defined by claim 7, wherein the needle valve isthreadably received by the valve housing, and terminates in a manuallyrotatable portion disposed outside the valve housing.
 9. A dual modepressure washing system, comprising: a. high pressure pumping meanshaving an inlet and an outlet; b. a spray nozzle connected to thepumping means outlet; c. and a mode selector valve for providing aselected fluid output of one of two input fluids or a predeterminedmixture of said fluids, comprising i. a valve housing defining a firstinlet adapted for connection to a first fluid source, a second inletadapted for connection to a second fluid source, and an outlet connectedto the pumping means inlet; ii. a first passage within the valve housingestablishing fluid communication between the first inlet and the valveoutlet; iii. a second passage within the valve housing establishingfluid communication between the first inlet and the valve outlet, thesecond passage being separate from the first passage; iv. a thirdpassage within the valve housing establishing fluid communicationbetween the second inlet and the valve outlet; v. valve means commonlydisposed in the first and second passages and rotatable between firstand second positions, the valve means having first and second fluidopenings formed therein relatively disposed to respectively permit andblock fluid flow in the first and second fluid passages with the valvemeans in said first position, and to respectively block and permit fluidflow in the first and second fluid passages with the valve means in thesecond position; vi. and means for restricting flow in the secondpassage.
 10. The pressure washing system defined by claim 9, wherein thefirst valve inlet is connected to a source of water, and the secondvalve inlet is connected to a source of cleaning concentrate.
 11. Thepressure washing system defined by claim 10, and further comprisingcheck valve means disposed between the second valve inlet and the sourceof cleaning concentrate for permitting the flow of concentrate onlytoward said second valve inlet.
 12. The pressure washing system definedby claim 9, and further comprising unloader valve means disposed in abypass conduit downstream of said pumping means and in parallel with thespray nozzle, the bypass conduit communicating with the pumping meansinlet, the unloader valve means being constructed and arranged to divertfluid from the spray nozzle when pressure downstream of the pumpingmeans reaches a predetermined limit.